He was elected in 2008 to the Oregon House of Representatives, representing District 51, which encompasses parts of Clackamas County and Multnomah County, and includes all or part of the cities of Boring, Clackamas, Damascus, Estacada, and Oregon City.

In the 2010 election, Barton ran unsuccessfully for the Oregon State Senate, declining to run for reelection to his House seat.

His father, William A. Barton, has been considered one of the best lawyers in America in several areas of law,[2] and is known for representing a plaintiff in a high-profile case against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland.

[8] Brent left Perkins Coie and joined Barton Trial Attourneys in 2010, and made partner in the firm in 2016.

[9] In 2008, Barton was unopposed for the Democratic nomination for House District 51 and faced incumbent Linda Flores in the general election.